This episode discusses Colorado UPK, CCCAP, childcare funding, and provider economics based on publicly available information and our experiences working in early childhood education. Program rules, funding levels, eligibility, and enrollment policies can change, and individual counties may administer programs differently. We encourage listeners to check current state and county information for the most up-to-date details.We thought we were making one episode about Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) program.

Then we started following the money.

In this episode of ECE Unhinged, we go down the financial rabbit hole behind UPK and ask some uncomfortable questions: How are childcare centers actually expected to make the numbers work? What happens when public funding covers only part of a child’s care? Where do CCAP, grants, gap fees, and UPK fit together? And why are childcare providers still struggling to keep classrooms staffed and doors open?

We dig into the difference between family childcare homes and larger private centers, the financial realities of infant and toddler care, workforce shortages, provider funding, UPK’s limited hours, and what the program actually means for families who need full-day childcare.

We also unpack the much-discussed "$6,300 savings" and why that number does not mean parents are receiving a $6,300 check.

And then we get to the really complicated part: Colorado’s childcare system can simultaneously have families waiting for assistance while providers report open or underfilled seats. Current statewide data and reporting show just how complicated that picture has become.

This isn't a simple "UPK is good" or "UPK is bad" episode.

It's us trying to understand the math.

Because somewhere between the funding, the promises, the gap fees, the staffing requirements, the waitlists, and the parents trying to make it all work...

the math stopped mathing.

And yes. We found another rabbit hole.

Actually... several.

Listen in, then tell us what we're missing. If you work in a public school, private center, family childcare home, or you're a Colorado parent navigating UPK or CCCAP, we especially want to hear your perspective.

Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) program sounded simple… until we started digging. 

In Part 1 of our UPK rabbit hole, we break down how the program works, who qualifies, the two major legal challenges surrounding UPK, and what Colorado’s own evaluation says about access, quality, teacher qualifications, and enrollment.

We also take a closer look at the 15-hour vs. 30-hour conversation—because while UPK generally provides up to 15 tuition-free hours per week, some children may qualify for additional hours based on income and other qualifying factors.

We’re sticking to the facts, asking questions, and letting you decide what you think.

And yes… there’s a LOT more to this rabbit hole. 

 ECE Unhinged — where early childhood education gets real, messy, and occasionally unhinged.

What happens when the director's husband suddenly becomes your “assistant director” — and starts showing up late, taking hour-long lunches, micromanaging classrooms, and undermining teachers in front of children?

In this episode of ECE Unhinged, we're diving into a wild Sandbox Confessional about favoritism, nepotism, blurred boundaries, and what happens when the boss's spouse becomes the boss's problem employee — except nobody is allowed to say anything about it.

We talk about the damage nepotism can do to staff morale, what happens when family members interfere with classroom management, the impossible position teachers can find themselves in when the director is also the owner, and why speaking up can sometimes make YOU the target.

And because we've both lived through versions of this ourselves, we're sharing some of our own experiences with directors' spouses, family members, favoritism, workplace drama, and the infamous “you just have to understand how they are” excuse.

So what should our anonymous teacher do? Document everything? Try to ride it out? Or update that résumé and RUN?

Spoiler: We're leaning toward the résumé. 😂

Have your own Sandbox Confessional? Send it our way! We want your wildest, most frustrating, and completely unhinged ECE stories.

ECE Unhinged — because sometimes surviving early childhood education requires caffeine, sarcasm, and a very good exit strategy.

Is ECE burnout actually burnout… or are we grieving the career we thought we were going to have?

In this episode of Teachers After Dark, Brittany and Crystal dive into a pile of unpopular opinions, hot takes, frustrations, and uncomfortable truths from the early childhood education field.

We talk about why educators may be experiencing more than burnout — including grief over what ECE used to be, what we thought this career would become, and what we've sacrificed financially and emotionally to stay in a field we still deeply love.

We tackle everything from parents expecting teachers to do it all, children being asked to regulate emotions adults haven't mastered, unrealistic expectations, weather-appropriate clothing, parent communication, sick days, teacher appreciation, developmental concerns, and why childcare educators are expected to be teachers, nurses, therapists, chefs, entertainers, administrators, and human octopuses all at once.

We also get real about something a lot of ECE teachers quietly think about: what our lives might have looked like if we'd chosen a different career.

And then there's the question we keep coming back to…

How can we love what we do so deeply while also admitting that the way this field operates may no longer be sustainable?

Plus, we have a few laughs along the way — including our completely reasonable proposal for a Dutch Bros truck parked outside every childcare center. 😂

These are our hot takes. Some are funny. Some are uncomfortable. And some hit a little too close to home.

What do YOU think? Are ECE educators burned out, grieving, or both?

Welcome to Teachers After Dark — where we say the things ECE teachers are thinking but don't always feel comfortable saying out loud.

Join us for our teachers after dark as we talk about some of the wild and crazy things licensing makes us do!

Unlock the hidden costs and surprising truths behind running a childcare center — from sky-high rent and razor-thin profit margins to mind-blowing innovations like AI teachers. If you're contemplating opening your own facility or are simply curious about what really happens behind the scenes, this episode is your wake-up call. Join Brittany and Crystal as they peel back the curtain on the financial realities of early childhood education. Discover why rent can skyrocket to $40,000 a month, why insurance costs are surprisingly low, and how centers are battling impossible odds just to stay afloat. You'll hear jaw-dropping stories: centers paying six cents a minute for care, hiring catering services to tame supply costs, and owners questioning whether the system itself is broken beyond repair. We break down:

• The staggering expenses hidden within the business, including rent, supplies, and staff wages
• How innovative strategies like in-home centers and government grants are reshaping profitability
• The threat posed by humanoid robots entering classrooms, and what that means for the future of employment and quality of care
• Why teacher wages remain stagnant despite soaring costs and what that spells for staff retention and morale
• The alarming potential of AI replacing human teachers—yes, including diaper-changing and soothing crying children

This episode matters for current and aspiring childcare owners, educators frustrated by the system, and parents worried about the true cost of quality care. Ignore these truths at your peril—because the future of early childhood education might just look very different than we imagined.With insights from industry veterans, the episode offers a raw, honest look at a system on the brink of radical change. Are robots the next step in making childcare more affordable or just the beginning of a disheartening trend? Will parents' bills stay high, or will automation push costs down?Perfect for anyone who thinks they understand the business but is unaware of the chaos beneath the surface—this is a must-listen to understand where the sector is headed. Don't miss the candid look at the financial storm that's rewriting the rules of early childhood education.

This episode grabs attention with shocking figures and futuristic trends, appealing directly to educators, owners, and parents concerned about the sustainability of childcare. By combining real stories with big-picture insights, it creates curiosity and a sense of urgency—encouraging listeners to confront the truth head-on.

Grab your coffee—or whatever you need to survive drop-off—and join Brittany and Crystal as they dive into the wildly hilarious, completely unhinged side of early childhood education. In this episode of Teachers After Dark, the duo swaps real stories submitted by educators, from innocent (and slightly concerning) kid logic to the absolute wildest parent requests imaginable.

​From toddlers asking if retiring teachers are going to heaven and misnaming "bikini bread," to parents demanding high-res diaper photos, moonlight blackout rules, and amateur classroom exorcisms, nothing is off-limits. They also unpack the chaotic reality of managing boundary-crossing parent requests, handling allergen safety, and navigating the fine line between customer service and classroom sanity. Stick around until the end to share your thoughts on our latest in-home provider interview and vote on what topic we should tackle next!

In this episode of ECE Unhinged, we return to our wage transparency series with a perspective we have not covered yet: an in-home childcare provider.

Tashia Lush joins us from Illinois to share how she went from working as a teacher and director in childcare centers to opening a licensed program in her own home. She talks honestly about startup costs, licensing, ratios, food reimbursement, supplies, grants, household expenses, and what it really takes to make an in-home program profitable.

We also dig into one of the biggest questions facing early childhood educators right now: Is opening an in-home daycare a more sustainable path than continuing to work in a traditional center?

Tashia shares how her program became profitable within its first year, why her husband was able to leave his outside job and join her as an assistant, and how running her own program has affected her stress, health, and quality of life.

This conversation offers a candid look at the financial realities, responsibilities, risks, and rewards of becoming an in-home childcare provider.

Most teachers dream of inventions that could revolutionize childcare but what if some ideas are better left uninvested? On this playful episode of Teachers After Dark, we turn the spotlight on hilarious yet insightful "Shark Tank" style pitches, from toddler translators to self cleaning diaper stations.Imagine having a magic bubble wand that instantly ends tantrums or shoes that dodge bodily fluids sounds practical, but would you actually invest? We break down the ridiculous and the revolutionary, exploring the real problems educators face daily, like kids sneaking out of the room or messy classrooms that seem impossible to tidy. You'll discover the craziest and possibly coolest ideas teachers have shared, all aimed at saving time, upping safety, and making childcare less chaotic.Join us for a hilarious and honest look at inventive solutions for the childcare chaos and why some tech might just be the game changer you didn’t know you needed. If you're a teacher, caregiver, or parent drowning in daily struggles, this episode is your dose of creative frustration and hilarious inspiration. It’s the perfect listen to spark ideas or simply have a good laugh at the wild imagination of educators who wouldn’t settle for good enough.Whether you're looking for fresh ideas to tackle classroom chaos or just want to hear some out there inventions that might actually work, this episode will keep you entertained and thinking. Prepare for a fun, fast paced ride through the world of childcare innovations some brilliant, some bizarre, all relatable.Teachers After Dark is your go to for real talk, laughs, and friendly fire on the wildest ideas in education. Tune in now to hear the inventions teachers would really invest in or veto off the dock. Who knew the future of childcare could be so hilarious?Character count: 2,395/4,000Why this works: This description employs an engaging, curiosity driven hook that teases the humorous yet practical nature of the ideas discussed. It highlights concrete examples, appeals directly to teachers and caregivers, and promises entertainment plus relatable insights, ensuring listeners are eager to hit play. The tone is casual and fun, matching the episode’s playful content, which maximizes clickability and retention.

The hidden cost of caring: why early childhood educators are worth so much more than their paycheckWhat if everything you thought you knew about your worth as an ECE teacher is backwards? Despite playing roles that span CEO, detective, clown, nurse, and counselor, early childhood educators are paid pennies compared to the value they bring—often working far beyond their job descriptions and sacrificing personal well-being in the process.In this episode, Brittany and I peel back the curtain on the true cost of working in early childhood education. We dive into the unspoken emotional labor, physical toll, and financial sacrifices that teachers consistently make—spending their own money on classroom supplies, working long hours, and carrying the weight of students' family hardships. You'll discover how teachers are often expected to perform dozens of roles without the recognition or compensation they deserve, and why the current system pushes many to the brink of burnout.We break down the staggering realities: teachers earning less than teenagers babysitting, battling overworked bodies, and investing hundreds in supplies just to create meaningful experiences for children. We explore how center rent, the undervaluation of their work, and lack of mental health support perpetuate a cycle of frustration and disillusionment. Plus, we examine what an ideal, well-funded system would truly look like—where educators are paid fairly, ratios are lowered, and teachers can serve without the constant financial stress weighing them down.If you're feeling overwhelmed, underpaid, or questioning whether this career is worth it, this episode is for you. Brittany and I share honest reflections on why most of us stay—because of the kids, our passion, and a belief in shaping future generations. But we also challenge the system's shortcomings and ask: what grander opportunity lies in recognizing the real worth of early childhood educators?Perfect for teachers, childcare owners, and advocates who want to understand the true costs behind the smiles and giggles—and who are ready to rethink how we value the people shaping our youngest selves. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation about worth, perseverance, and the urgent need for systemic change.[Character count: 3,987/4,000]Why this works:

This description begins with a provocative statement that immediately challenges perceptions and sparks curiosity. It highlights specific, concrete issues—mental, physical, and financial—that resonate with educators and advocates alike. By teasing eye-opening insights and emphasizing a call for systemic reevaluation, it ensures listeners understand the episode's emotional and practical value, compelling them to hit play. The tone matches the candid, honest nature of the transcript, making it relatable and engaging for the target audience.

Description:

​Welcome to the very first episode of our new series, Sandbox Confessionals (aka Crisis in the Sandbox). This week, we are pausing our financial transparency series to dive deep into the raw, unspoken realities of working in Early Childhood Education.

​In this episode, we share the true story of "Dani," a former toddler teacher in Colorado who reached out to us after leaving a center plagued by severe licensing violations, emotional abuse of children, and direct workplace retaliation. To protect her identity, we are sharing her story anonymously-but the violations she experienced are a reality for far too many educators.

​Inside This Episode:

• ​The Reality of Crowd Control: What happens when a legal 1:5 toddler ratio stretches to an unsafe 1:11.
• ​Institutional Betrayal: How directors protect abusive, long-term staff members and reframe internal documentation as "hostile."
• ​The Broken Licensing System: Why underfunded state agencies allow bad actors to run out the clock.
• ​ECE Trauma Bonding: A candid conversation on how centers use teachers' love for the kids as leverage to keep them silent.

​🚨 Your Action Plan: How to Move the Needle

​If you see something wrong at your center, vague complaints won't cut it. Here is the exact blueprint discussed in today’s episode to protect yourself and the children:

1. ​Document in Real Time: Do not rely on memory. Record the exact date, time, direct quotes, and witnesses in a timestamped notes app or email to yourself.
2. ​Create a Paper Trail: Always follow up phone calls to licensing with a written email. Demand a case number.
3. ​File with Multiple Agencies: Report both to state childcare licensing and your local Child Protective Services (CPS) hotline-they operate on different thresholds.
4. ​Contact your Local CCR&R: Child Care Resource and Referral agencies carry institutional weight that individual complaints often lack.
5. ​Involve the Labor Board: If you face sudden write-ups or termination after reporting, file a retaliation claim immediately.
6. ​Inform the Parents: Facts speak louder than rumors. When parents know the truth, enrollments drop-and that gets management's attention.
7. ​Remember Your Mandated Reporter Status: Your legal threshold is reasonable suspicion, not absolute proof. Protect the kids first, and sort out the rest later.

​Connect With Us!

​Have a "Crisis in the Sandbox" story of your own? Or some wild "ECE After Dark" admin/parent drama you need to get off your chest? Our inbox is completely open, safe, and anonymous.

• ​Email/SpeakPipe: [Insert Link]
• ​Follow the Show: Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to help us expose the cracks in the system and protect ECE professionals!

​Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Colorado CDHS Licensing Portal, National CCR&R Locator, Child Protective Services Hotline, and the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. (Links available in your podcast app's show notes section).

Would you charge parents 6 cents a minute for tuition? Retired University Director Ida Bauer joins the ECE Unhinged podcast to talk about her career and how she built a center from the ground up.

This week on Teachers After Dark, Crystal and I are diving into the hilarious, bizarre, and downright unhinged world of toddler logic. We aren't talking about typical classroom management here; we're talking about the moment a child has a full-blown meltdown because their grilled cheese was cut into squares instead of triangles.

​If you've ever felt like you were negotiating with a tiny, unreasonable terrorist when all you wanted was for them to eat their lunch, this is the episode for you. We’re unpacking those "unsolicited confessions" about their parents' habits, why they think the shower is a human car wash, and how we keep it together when the "laws of logic" are completely suspended.

​Grab a drink and join us for the unfiltered, behind-the-scenes stories we usually only share with each other.

​#ECEUnhinged #TeachersAfterDark #ToddlerLogic #EarlyChildhoodEducation #UnhingedMedia

Many teachers feel frustrated by outdated practices in early childhood education. Brittany and Crystal explore the hidden reasons behind these routines, revealing how understanding their purpose can empower educators to advocate for change. From strict diapering policies to unnecessary safety rules, discover how these practices impact workload and burnout. Gain insights on fostering child-centered routines and challenging norms to improve quality care.

#EarlyChildhoodEd #TeachingTips #Childcare #EducationReform #Podcast #BrittanySpeaks #TeacherSupport

In episode 2 of our wage transparency series we're joined by center owner Katie McDonald for a raw no-filter conversation about the financial realities of running a private preschool. From the weight of commercial rent to the impossible struggle of balancing fair wages with tight margins, we're exposing the truth behind the "secretive" ECE industry.

#EarlyEdInsights

#TeacherSupport

#EducationReform

#RespectTeachers

#SystemicChange

#ChildhoodEducation

#TeacherVoices

#EducationMatters

Proof of concept , trial episode! Let us know what you think and send in your story!

Don't panic, Our regular episodes are staying the same! Crystal and I are still bringing you the same ECE Unhinged content you know and love but today we are dropping something a little different and fun! Welcome to our new cinematic audio docuseries format! We wanted to find a way to get everyone's voices out there and stories told but still protect the privacy of our educators. Let us know if you like this and we can tell your story the same way.

What do you do for self care?

Join us for a conversation as we talk to a childcare director in New Orleans and see what keeps her center going!

In this episode of "ECE Unhinged," hosts Brittany and Crystal introduce a new series focused on wage transparency in early childhood education. They discuss the financial challenges faced by teachers, such as low wages despite high tuition fees. The series aims to uncover where the money goes by interviewing various center owners and directors. They emphasize the need for transparency and open discussion without blaming directors, who often struggle to pay fair wages due to financial constraints.

The episode also includes a segment called "Red Flag Green Flag," where they discuss various classroom scenarios and their implications. The hosts encourage listeners to participate by sharing their questions and experiences, aiming to create a supportive community for educators.

An Interview with a parent from the past!

Most parents don't realize how much early childhood education has shifted in the last 35 years-sometimes for the worse. In this eye-opening episode, Chris, a father with over three decades of experience, reveals how childcare expectations, teaching practices, and industry standards have changed since the days when kids played outside all day and structure meant discipline, not coddling.Discover the surprising differences in preschool programs: from a $220/month structure-focused environment to today's high-cost, trauma-informed franchises. Chris shares personal stories of how expectations around manners, leadership, and independence have eroded, and how modern parenting trends now often weaken the very skills teachers and parents once cultivated effortlessly. He dives into unsettling trends like the excessive reliance on technology, the rise of franchise daycare models driven by profit motives, and the impact of COVID-era policies that removed community ties and parental involvement.Key insights include:

• Why today’s childcare often misses fundamental life skills like self-reliance, responsibility, and resilience.
• The clash between parent perceptions of professionalism versus the reality of teaching young children—where they're seen as little sponges rather than mini adults.
• How recent policies, technology, and staffing shortages are undermining teacher authority and safety, and what this means for child development.
• The disturbing shift from hands-on teaching to checkbox-driven assessments, capturing every moment on tablets and cameras, often at the expense of genuine connection.
• The emotional toll on parents and teachers alike, and the importance of trust, structure, and community in early education.

This candid conversation underscores a critical truth: early childhood education shapes the leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers of tomorrow. Ignoring these fundamental shifts risks a generation of kids unprepared for real life, with teachers burned out and parents overwhelmed.Perfect for educators, parents, and childcare administrators-if you're concerned about our kids' future and want to reconnect with their essential needs, this episode is a must-listen. Chris’s insights challenge us to rethink what quality childcare really means-and why fostering independence, discipline, and resilience starts long before kindergarten.